HC Deb 05 June 2000 vol 351 cc15-6
13. Mr. Brian Jenkins (Tamworth)

What savings have been identified as a result of the smart procurement initiative. [122651]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr. Lewis Moonie)

As part of the strategic defence review, we set ourselves a target of saving £2 billion on equipment procurement expenditure over the 10 years to 2007–08 through the introduction of smart procurement. We are on track to achieve that target in that the sum of cost reductions identified and made in successive planning rounds is approaching the £2 billion mark, and, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's announcement last month about the strategic air lift and future missile for the Eurofighter aptly demonstrates, we are delivering the programme set out in the strategic defence review.

Mr. Jenkins

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. However, is he aware that, according to the National Audit Office, the Government inherited a cost overrun of £3 billion and a three-year delay in the Ministry of Defence's 25 most expensive projects? When he considers the strategic defence review and present commitments, will he undertake to the country and to our defence services that he will take no advice from the Conservative party, which proved itself incapable of handling the defence finances of this country?

Dr. Moonie

I share my hon. Friend's shock and dismay at the incompetence of the previous Administration, of which he has given us another dismal example. I certainly agree with him that smart procurement will deliver real savings while preserving our capacity to meet the challenging targets of the strategic defence review.

Madam Speaker

I call Mr. Bercow.

Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)

Question 16, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker

I was calling the hon. Gentleman on question 13. I shall call the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant) instead.

Mr. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Given that the F22 fighter in the United States, which is similar to the Eurofighter, has had to be equipped with a cannon, surely it is not very smart not to fit a gun to the Eurofighter.

Dr. Moonie

All such decisions are taken on the basis of advice from the armed forces concerned. I agree with you, Madam Speaker, in that I, too, find it difficult to distinguish between those two hon. Gentlemen.

Madam Speaker

I do not, actually.